Karen Weekly questions Craig Snider ejection: 'I didn't think he came too far out of the dugout'

Tennessee softball hitting coach Craig Snider was ejected against Texas in the 2025 Women’s College World Series on Monday. He was thrown out in the top of the fourth inning while arguing strike calls.

The Volunteers would go on to lose the matchup 2-0, ending their season just shy of the WCWS championship series. They were forced to play the final three innings without one of the Tennessee staff’s vocal leaders in the dugout, which head coach Karen Weekly addressed after the game.

“I really didn’t hear what was said, and I didn’t think he came too far out of the dugout,” Weekly said. “There’s a rule if assistants come out and argue that things are automatic. You would hope that you get a little bit of leeway because of the stage you’re on right here; you certainly don’t want to lose a coach when you’re playing for the biggest game of the season.”

Weekly was later confirmed that he was “frustrated with the strike zone,” during the matchup. The magnitude of the situation was apparent, as ESPN broadcaster Jessica Mendoza explained how huge of a voice he can be for the Volunteers.

Texas would break the scoreless tie shortly after Snider’s ejection. Left fielder Katie Stewart hit a solo home run to left field to give the Longhorns to a 1-0 lead. The Longhorns would score on an error in the bottom of the sixth to double their lead at two runs. Tennessee was unable to find its bats in the seventh inning, ending the Volunteers season one game short of their ultimate goal.

Tennessee finished the 2025 softball season 47-17 overall. They were given the No. 7 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament for their efforts, and reached the WCWS for the second time in three seasons.

“I think my heart is full because of the young ladies to my right and the young ladies in that locker room,” Weekly said. “They’re sad for all the right reasons. It’s not about wins and losses; it’s about the joy they’ve experienced being together every single day. And I think people saw that in the way we played. They saw them bounce back. They saw how resilient, how gritty and tough they were.

“This has been a group that has been just so much fun to coach because they allowed us to coach them … And today, yeah, we want to be playing another day, but it’s not a bad day at all. We just wish we were going to be together again tomorrow.”